5 Best Things to Do in Lassen Volcanic National Park
Located in heart of Northern California, Lassen Volcanic National Park is a geologically active area known for its steaming fumaroles, boiling springs, and the beautiful Lassen Peak at the center of it all—the southernmost peak in the 700-mile (1,127 km) Cascade Mountain Range, and the largest plug dome volcano in the world!
All these things are what inevitably make Lassen Volcanic feel like a hidden gem among a host of other, more popular California National Parks, like Yosemite, Sequoia, or even the nearby Redwoods.
For this reason, Lassen Volcanic National Park is one of my favorites, and if you visit during the beautiful summer or fall season when Highway 89 is snow-free—the main road through the park—you’ll be able to see and experience some of the best that Lassen Volcanic has to offer!
Hiking Checklist - Lassen Volcanic
Obviously, for camping, you will need general backpacking gear. For this reason, I wrote a separate post about what backpacking gear is worth the money, from my experience, and what the best alternatives are to save you money.
Read My Separate Post: Best Ultralight Backpacking Gear
In addition, here is a complete list of must-have things that you will want for any hike in Lassen Volcanic National Park.
5 Best Things to Do in Lassen Volcanic National Park
The following list is written in no particular order of best or worst, but know that if Lassen Peak Highway hasn’t opened for the season because of snow, visiting the park can be particularly challenging, as many of the best things to see and do are off this scenic drive.
On a different note, you can save time when you arrive by purchasing your National Park pass, along with your other outdoor gear, at REI before traveling to the park!
1. Lassen Peak Trail
Distance: 4.9 miles / 7.9 km
Climbing Lassen Peak is, without a doubt, one of the best things to do in Lassen Volcanic National Park!
I mean, how could you visit the park without attempting to summit the one mountain after which it’s named?
In any case, the Lassen Peak Trail ascends nearly 2,000 ft. (610 m) up a long series of switchbacks from trailhead off Hwy 89 to the summit.
Therefore, some may find the trail to be quite challenging, but if you’re up for a bit of an early morning or late evening adventure, both sunrise and sunset are equally amazing from the summit, as Lassen Peak stands high above the surrounding landscape as the southernmost Cascade in the range.
AllTrails: Lassen Peak Trail
2. Cinder Cone Trail (Painted Dunes)
Distance: 4.7 miles / 7.6 km
The Cinder Cone Trail in the northeast part of Lassen Volcanic National Park is one of the most beautiful hikes in the park because, from the summit of the Cinder Cone, you get amazing views of Painted Dunes from above.
If you’re interested in photographing the vibrant colors of the Painted Dunes, I recommend the Cinder Cone Trail for either sunrise or sunset, as the soft light brings out the best of the colors during these times.
All said, the Cinder Cone Trail is a great place to explore the beautiful volcanic landscape within the park, but that’s not without saying that climbing Cinder Cone itself is more challenging than you may think.
After a relatively flat hike to get there, be prepared for a very steep hike up the cinder cone, as the trail gains roughly 500 ft. (150 m) in only 0.25 miles (0.4 km) from the base of the cone to the summit.
AllTrails: Cinder Cone Trail
My Print - Cinder Cone Trail (Painted Dunes)
3. Summit Lake (Sunset)
Summit Lake is one of many beautiful alpine lakes within Lassen Volcanic, but what truly makes the lake stand out from the rest is how beautiful Lassen Peak gets when the sunset lights it up during the late evening hours.
On top of this, Summit Lake is commonly known for being one of the best and most beautiful drive-up campgrounds within the park.
Therefore, if you’re interested in camping, you can make reservations directly through Recreation.gov below, or by clicking the link.
Book Here: Lassen Volcanic Permits
No information is collected by this website when using the Recreation.gov booking widget, and all reservations made here are secure through the official website.
4. Sulphur Works
To me, the Sulphur Works shares a striking resemblance to the thermal features within Yellowstone National Park, but be that as it may, it’s one of the best and most accessible places in Lassen Volcanic to learn about this ever-changing, active volcanic landscape.
Therefore, I highly recommend making the quick and easy stop at this little pullover off the Scenic Byway, as it’s truly one of the more unique features within the park.
Google Maps Directions: Sulphur Works
5. Prospect Peak Trail
Distance 6.9 miles / 11.1 km
The Prospect Peak Trail is one of the least-trafficked trails in Lassen Volcanic National Park!
That being said, Prospect Peak is one of my personal favorites, as the peak rises high above the surrounding forest east of Lassen Peak.
For this reason, I personally prefer hiking the trail early in the morning and watching the first light hit Lassen Peak some 10 miles (16.1 km) away!
AllTrails: Prospect Peak Trail
Additional Early Season Gear
Depending on the winter snowpack, trails can be covered in snow into the middle of June or even July.
For this reason, micro-spikes are a must on many trails, as conditions can be particularly hazardous if the snow is melting during the day and freezing at night.
Therefore, I recommend coming prepared, as many hikers miss out on trails that they could have done simply for this reason alone. I personally use the Yaktrax below.
